Don,
You are correct; it's all about the timing. The word
"Miai" refers to a pair of moves which are equivalent;
if the opponent plays one, it is urgent to play the
other.
For instance, two groups with one eye each are
diagonally connected; there are two ways to make the
solid connection.
.x
x.
( assume the x stones are connected to one-eyed groups
)
If one's opponent plays one of those connections, it
is urgent to play the other. On the other hand, if the
groups in question already live regardless of the
connection, it is usually correct to ignore the cut
and play elsewhere. These make great ko threats.
Another example would be when there are two ways to
make a second eye. If one is taken, the other must be
played.
Good play often requires setting up such ambiguous
situations, then leaving them alone until the last
possible moment, in order to make more optimal plays
elsewhere. If you have two ways to make life, a better
use of your next stone is to attack something, to
defend something which is not yet stable, or to expand
something.
Often there are interactions -- tesuji (skillful
plays) sometimes require exploiting one's opponent's
weakness in order to gain time to repair one's own
defects.
These details can't be captured entirely by 3x3 or 5x5
patterns; they need some form of knowledge about
status, however that might be obtained. I think
playouts could reap some good guesses or even firm
evaluations of status.
Terry McIntyre <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Wherever is found what is called a paternal government, there is found state
education. It has been discovered that the best way to insure implicit
obedience is to commence tyranny in the nursery.
Benjamin Disraeli, Speech in the House of Commons [June 15, 1874]
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